Chapter 6

Silas stood outside the door, his sharp features cold and distant.

"I'll be heading on a business trip for the next few days. Dawn can't deal with him on her own, so we'll need to trouble you for a few more days."

Serena was feeling quite unwell, so being civil wasn't the highest on the list of priorities.

"Sure. When you come back, remember to bring the divorce papers with you."

After that, she carried Shawn back to her office.

Silas stood there quietly for a while, watching her leave, before closing the door to the studio and leaving as well.

-

Inside the lounge, Serena carefully put Shawn down and sighed heavily. "Take off your jacket and go to bed."

Shawn had already calmed down and was being very obedient. He took off his jacket and handed it to her. "Mom, can you please hang this up for me? Thank you so much."

He was always so sweet and polite.

Serena gave him a small smile, took the jacket, and hung it on the coat rack.

The two lay together in bed, and Shawn hugged her arm close. "Mom, are you angry that I went to see that lady?"

Serena blinked, then sighed softly, holding Shawn close. "She's the one who gave birth to you, Shawn. I know it's hard to accept, but you wouldn't be here if it weren't for her. Don't call her that lady anymore, alright?"

And with that, the small bundle of anxiety in Shawn's heart dissolved. He had thought that Serena didn't want him anymore when she didn't return home that night.

Thankfully, he was just overthinking it!

Finally satisfied, he closed his eyes. "I'll always like you, Mom! No matter who my mom is, you'll always be my favorite!"

Serena's heart melted, and she rubbed his cheek. "Alright, sweetheart. I promise that I'll always be here as long as you need me, alright?"

"Alright, that's a promise!" Shawn giggled, then yawned. "You can't… You can't lie, okay? Your nose is going to become long!"

Serena chuckled, her irritation slowly subsiding. She leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead.

"I'll never lie to you, Shawn. Good night."

In response, all Serena heard was the sound of Shawn's steady breathing.

-

It was the winter holidays, so Shawn didn't have to go to kindergarten.

The very next day, the studio accepted another project with high pay but with a rushed deadline.

For two days straight, Shawn and Serena lived almost entirely at the studio. When she was too busy, Hannah and their other coworkers would help take care of Shawn.

He had been a regular guest for the past two years, so everyone was already familiar with him, and he with them.

On the third day, at two in the afternoon, Serena finally finished the restoration effort.

Walking out of the restoration room, she stepped towards her office, messaging her best friend who worked at the gynecologist's.

"Are you working in the afternoon?"

"Yeah! Why?"

"Help me make an appointment. I'll be there at half-past three."

"Wait… Are you pregnant?"

"I'm not sure. My period's late by ten days, and my stomach has been feeling uncomfortable."

"By ten days?! Girl, haven't you tried using a test kit?"

At the mention, Serena finally remembered the pregnancy test that she had forgotten in her bag.

She pursed her lips and messaged, "I bought one. Forgot about it."

"My god, how could you forget? You probably stayed up all night working again, huh? Call me a spoilsport, but I wouldn't be surprised if you died from overworking yourself! Come on over, quick!"

"Got it."

-

Serena returned to her office. There, Shawn was asleep on the couch, his blanket haphazardly kicked onto the ground in his sleep.

On the table, there was a lunchbox that hadn't been finished.

Serena walked over and gently draped the blanket over Shawn before taking the lunchbox and throwing it into the rubbish bin. After that, she wiped the table clean and sat down on another sofa. She wiped away the thin sweat that had appeared on her forehead.

Her abdomen had started to ache again, and she suddenly remembered the pregnancy test kit in her bag. Before she could reach for it, however, Hannah came into the office.

"Ms. Serena, someone's here to see you downstairs."

-

There was a coffee shop right below the studio.

When Serena walked in, she saw Dawn sitting in the corner.

Meanwhile, the latter was examining Serena from behind her sunglasses.

Serena wore an almond-covered dress, topped with a light-pink velvet coat. Her hair was long and tidy, falling smoothly down her back.

Just as her name suggested, she was serene and delicate, not a feature out of place on her dainty face. Her beauty wasn't the type to attract attention or be striking at first glance, but her fair skin and the way she carried herself gave her a cool, radiant aura.

Seeing her walk over, Dawn stood up and smiled gently. "Ms. Vale, please sit."

Serena didn't sit. She didn't think there was any need for them to have a private conversation.

"Ms. Zeller, if you have something to say, please get to the point."

Dawn removed her glasses. "It seems like you don't like me, but I get it. I only found out today that Silas lied to you. He did it for my sake, so don't blame him."

Serena pursed her lips, but her voice remained calm. "I don't blame anyone. My marriage to Silas was done out of convenience. We were just working together. As for Shawn, you gave birth to him, so you have the right to become his mother."

"Do you really think so?"

Serena frowned softly, losing her patience. "Did you just call me out to ask me about my feelings, Ms. Zeller?"

Dawn looked at Serena in surprise. The woman was much more composed than she expected.

To think that such a woman was by Silas' side for five years… To be honest, Dawn would be lying if she said she wasn't feeling the slightest bit threatened.

Now that she was back in the picture, it was time for Serena to take a bow.

Reaching into her bag, Dawn took out the divorce agreement, placing it onto the table and sliding it over to Serena.

"Silas wants to leave Southbrook Manor to you and give you eight million dollars as compensation for your efforts for the past five years. If you're fine with it, then sign the papers."